Day 481 "Jesus is All We've Ever Had or Will Ever Need"

Passage: Romans 1:2-3a

...the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son...

Devotion:

Buried within these verses is the Greek preposition "peri" (translated as: regarding). It is the source definition of our English words periscope and perimeter, and means -- "that which encircles". In the context of our passage today, Paul is telling us the whole Bible (specifically the Old Testament), is all about Jesus. It was written about Him and for Him. He encircles it and it encircles Him. But it doesn't stop there. The Bible is also called the Book of Life -- therefore life is all about Jesus as well. Paul writes about this in Colossians 1:15-16 describing the supremacy of Christ: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."

I got a call this morning from a man whose life is in chaos. Job, marriage and finances are all in shambles. He and his wife are now living apart. He said to me, "I'm tired. I've made such a mess of my life. The only thing I've got left is Jesus." I told him, "Jesus is all you ever had! He's also all you will ever need." Then I quoted Colossians 1:19-20: "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." If you need a little peace -- call on Jesus.

Questions to Ponder:

Do you need some peace in your life? Do you need a break from the pressure? These days it seems that problems are compounding -- income is going down, bills are mounting, children are more disobedient, and the financial plans we built our lives upon are going up in smoke. All this goes to show one thing: It was never "real security" from the beginning. All we've ever had is Jesus. Don't lose Him in your battles for all the stuff.

Day 480 "Good Advice or the Gospel of God?"

Passage: Romans 1:1e

...the gospel of God...

Devotion:

In the NIV (New International Version), the word "gospel" has been translated from the Greek word "euaggelion" (which is where we get our word "evangelism"), and actually means "good message" or "good news".

When I was a boy, evangelists weren't known for sharing "good news", instead the message had to do more with consequences. In other words, we were all going to "burn in hell" if we didn't believe, and follow Jesus. To be honest it was a rather frightening message. As a result a whole generation of young people threw it out. They refused to believe in or worship a God who only wanted to punish them for wrongdoing.

I believe God brings forth revivals and new teachers to preach the Word -- His Word -- when old teaching and teachers go off track. In the 70's and 80's God brought forth just such a revival to bring His church back on track. At that time, His love and plan for salvation became (as well it should have) the point of preaching rather than condemnation for sin. "You are free!" Now that's truly good news. Unfortunately, as with all blessings from God, Satan will attempt to pervert the message.

Today, many preachers, teachers, authors and media programs have diluted Christianity to the point where it is nothing more than just good advice. For example, take some of the best selling Christian books -- there is a lot of "good advice" in them about relationships, child-rearing, and finances. But if you removed Jesus from the text -- would the book even change? I would encourage each of you to be on guard against preachers, churches, or authors who give only feel good type of advice. If you can take Jesus out of a sermon then you are pretty much wasting your time listening.

Questions to Ponder:

The "Gospel of God" is good news -- in fact it's a story of the Father's unending love for you and me. But it's not all warm and cuddly as some would have us think. Love also involves responsibility, discipline, and consequence which sometimes is not pleasant. Many people don't want to hear the whole story. Do you listen to the whole message or just the parts that make you feel good? What aspects of the Gospel make you feel uncomfortable? What is the Lord speaking to you about now? Should you listen?

Day 479 "What Do You Need To Be Separated From?"

Passage: Romans 1:1d

...and set apart for...

Devotion:

This is an interesting choice of words. Paul writes that he was "set apart for". This basically means he was separated from what he was doing "for" what he was meant to do. His thoughts, behaviors, practices, and beliefs all were changed. So what caused this huge transformation in Paul? We all know it was a result of his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. A relationship with Jesus set him apart and separated him from his old life -- "for" his new life in Christ Jesus.

When we became Christians, Paul, you, and me were all "set apart for" something that God had planned for us. In Jeremiah 29:11 the Lord declares, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." The problem with plans is they only prosper us when we act upon them and if we follow the plan.

I have a young friend who became a Christian, yet none of his friends knew because nothing significant changed in his behavior. He still went out, cussed, drank, and even laughed at the same jokes -- then felt guilty inside. His public and private lives were in conflict. Over time, my young friend gradually began to separate himself from his old life as his new life in Christ took hold of him. (Philippians 1:6, "... he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.") However, the process of separation continues to this day. Why? Because, just like all of us, he will fight a battle with his sinful nature "until the day of Christ Jesus." Hopefully it gets easier with time but it is a struggle we must all endure.

Questions to Ponder:

What are you struggling with right now? If you understand you have been set apart for Jesus, what do you need to become separate from? Is it an activity, a relationship, or something else? Where is your focus, on the world and its distractions or the eternal?

Day 478 "Who Did the Sending?"

Passage: Romans 1:1c

...to be an apostle...

Devotion:

The word "apostle" from our passage today means "one who is sent out". For example, in Jeremiah 1:6-7 the Lord chose Jeremiah to be a prophet when he was just a young man, "Then I said, 'Alas, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth.' But the LORD said to me, 'Do not say, "I am a youth," because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak.' "

Whether it is a prophet or an apostle, the Lord chooses us -- we do not choose ourselves for the role. God chose Jeremiah to be a prophet and He chose Paul to be an apostle. Later, in Jeremiah 23:32 the Lord spoke about false prophets: "Behold, I am against those who have prophesied false dreams and related them and led My people astray by their falsehoods and reckless boasting; yet I did not send them or command them, nor do they furnish this people the slightest benefit."

Today, we might question whether an apostle, prophet, or pastor comes into our lives because he or she is from the Lord -- with God's power and authority -- or of his or her own accord. Unfortunately there are too many in the ministry today who were not called or sent by God. So how do we know the difference? I think the answer is in the last phrase of Jeremiah 23:32, "...nor do they furnish this people the slightest benefit." In other words, "They are in it for their own gain and as a result, lives are ruined by their falsehoods and reckless boasting." Once again, how do we know whether an apostle is sent by God or not? By the fruit. Disaster or salvation.

Questions to Ponder:

Have you been led astray? Did you miss the signs or ignore them? Were you told what you wanted to hear? For example, I personally have a problem with "prosperity teaching -- the name it and claim it philosophy" because by itself it is incomplete. To guard against being led astray by false or incomplete teachings, we would be well served to always place the authority of the written Word of God over the opinions of men. When listening to men, always ask: "Where is that in the Bible?"

Day 477 "The Right Perspective for being Called"

Passage: Romans 1:1b

...called...

Devotion:

I think one of the most classic illustrations of "being called" comes from the Old Testament story of Samuel (from 1 Samuel 3:1-10). If you recall, Samuel was working in the temple under Eli when one night the Lord called Samuel. Samuel ran to Eli and answered, "Here I am, you called me." But Eli said, "I didn't call you. Go back and lie down." The Lord called Samuel two more times, and each time Samuel ran to Eli thinking it was Eli calling him -- not recognizing the voice of the Lord. Finally Eli understood it was the Lord who called Samuel, so he instructed Samuel to answer right from his bed: "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening."

We can learn a lot about our own calling from Samuel as well as Paul's experience when they were called. Although different they are similar in many ways. For example, neither Samuel nor Paul recognized the Lord's voice when He first spoke. Samuel thought it was Eli, and on the road to Damascus Saul/Paul didn't know what to think (see Acts 9:5). Probably the most important example they both provide is the perspective from which they answered the Lord. Many of us think a "calling" implies something we must "do". While this is somewhat true the doing is not initially a task. The Lord was not calling "for" Samuel or Saul/Paul to do anything; rather He was first calling "to" them. This is a profound difference because before the Lord will instruct or direct us -- He requires our undivided attention, recognition of His person and authority, and willingness to obey.

To be called we need Samuel's perspective which he demonstrated when he replied: "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening."

Questions to Ponder:

In John 10:27, Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." So how do we know the Lord's voice? Through Scripture. By being in the Word (reading the Bible) we become familiar with the Lord -- we come to know Him -- so when He speaks to us we recognize His voice. Unfortunately, too many of us don't hear Him clearly because we're not familiar with His voice and as a result we regularly are led astray. However, there are three parts to this story: first -- recognizing His voice, second -- listening to what He says, and third -- our willingness to obey. It is not enough to just be hearers of the Word, we must also be doers. What is your perspective right now relating to the Lord? Would you know His voice? If so, when He speaks what will your answer be?